FDI in retail: JD-U indicates of going with larger consensus

NEW DELHI: Opposition NDA's key ally JD-U today gave indication that it will not be rigid on demanding voting in Parliament during any discussion on FDI in multi-brand retail and would go with larger consensus on it.

The party also expressed its keenness that the coming Winter session of Parliament should function fully and is not washed out like the last session due to disruptions.

JD-U president Sharad Yadav told reporters that his party has given notices to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar for a discussion in Parliament on FDI in multi-brand retail under two rules -- under Rule 184 that entails voting and under Rule 193, which has no provision for voting but only a debate.

Asked to explain the reason for giving two notices on the same issue, Yadav said, "it's not something that concerns only one party. We will go with a consensus among the Opposition parties on the issue."

"We will go by any of the two options on which there is a general consensus," Yadav said, adding that since corruption is an axis issue along with FDI, his party will also give notices to the Speaker for discussions on all three CAG reports on aviation, power and coal block allocation.

He said efforts are on to create Opposition unity like the one witnessed during Bharat Bandh this year.

Sources in the party say that while attempts are on to take on board as many parties as possible including SP, BSP, DMK and Trinamool Congress, there is a view that if it comes to voting against the government then SP, BSP and DMK may back out thereby frustrating the very purpose of a united fight against FDI in retail.

"We will take a decision according to the situation," Yadav said, adding "Parliament will run fully this session. There is no question of washout. It is through debates in Parliament that public opinions are formed".

Yadav parried questions about corruption charges against BJP President Nitin Gadkari saying he will not speak on the issue through media and will convey to the BJP if he has some opinion on it.